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1. Nature and Scope of
the States
Dr. Virag Sontakke
Assistant Professor
Center for Advanced Studies
Department of A.I.H.C. & Archaeology,
Banaras Hindu University

2. Nature
and Scope
of the States

3. Introduction
• When a large number of human beings live together,
there is need for some rules and regulations.
• Human nature is such that matsya nyāya, ‘the big fish
eats the small fish’, prevails,
• It is in the nature of things that the strong will exploit
the weak.
• Since early days, there is a realization in India that
there has to be a “society’ governed by some commonly
agreed rules and regulations”.
• However, such a ‘society’ is only loosely regulated it is
governed by customs and practices, not by laws.
• Therefore, some more rigorous organization is needed, a
system called ‘state’ in political thought, a political
system with a legal sanction and foundation, a system
ruled by law.

4. Cont…
• To ensure order, rule of law and peace, every
society needs a State.
• The State is based on same rights and duties for
all and a common set of laws.
• It is the duty of the State in return to protect the
dignity, life and property of the citizens and defend
the culture and integrity of the society.
• The state in India, first, came into being, when
settled life related to territory was substituted for a
wandering or nomadic life of the tribes.

5. Sources
1. Veda
2. Epics: Mahabharata
3. Buddhit Text: Digha Nikaya,
4. Jain Texts
5. Arthshastra
6. Smritis

6. Kinds of State
• States, by common sense and by historical experience, are
basically of three kinds:
1. Kingship: rule by one person
2. Oligarchy: rule by a small group of persons and
3. Democracy: representative rule of the people.
• Each of these has sub-types:
• Kingship for example, can be hereditary or by election,
• Small group of persons in an oligarchy can be (a)
aristocrats, (b) philosophers / the wise, or (c) elected
representatives.
• Ganrajya:

7. Formation of States
• A State is constituted by its several ‘limbs’.
• According to Kauṭilya, State has seven limbs: the king, the
ministers, the country, the forts, the treasury, the army, and
the allies. This list can vary according to the form of
government.
• Broadly there are two kinds of governance.
1. Republican
2. Monarchy.
• In India, the following four kinds of governments are
attested since ancient times:
• Self-governing Gaṇas (‘direct democracy’);
• Kingship

8. Development of the States
1. Rigveda:
Vishpati and Janpati
(Tribe like Yadus, Purus, the Anus etc.)
2. The Rashtra or Territorial states gradually
evolved in Later Vaidik period.
( The emperors identify as a rulers not over the
tribes but over the whole earth bounded by the see.)

9. Monarchy
• Monarchy was a Popular form of the State
• Raja (a King)
• Maharaja (A great King)
• Samrat (an emperor)
• The area or territory may increases

10. Republic States
• Aitareya Brahman: people near the Himalayas
like Uttar Kurus and the Uttar-madras had a
Virat (Kingless) state.
• Virat: Kingless
• Greek Historians also suggest the Republican
States in the N-W area.

11. City States
• According to Arrian Nyasa was a City State during
the invasion of Alexander.
• Coins of
1. Bhadrawati,
2. Tripuri,
3. Madhymika,
4. Ujjayini,
5. Varanasi,
6. Kaushambi etc.
• Area of cities must be smaller

12. Composite or Confederates states
• The Kuru-Panchala was different states was
formed as Composite state.
• The Kshrudrakas and Malavas were individual
states during Panini times were mentioned
together during Mahabharatas.
• Licchhvis formed confederation with Mallas and
once with Videhas.

13. Activity of the State
• There is no limit set for the activity of the State
• State touches the whole of life of its citizens, as
1. Religion
2. Ethics
3. Family
4. Economics
5. Culture
6. Education

14. Duty of State: Protection
• State Protects
1. Religion
2. Morality
3. Customs and
4. Traditions
• State Protects
1. Defend its
Territories
2. Protection of law
3. Protection from
injustice
4. Protection from
Natural
Calamities
5. Protect against :
famine, disease,
fire etc.

15. According to Arthshashtra
• State should see: whole family
• State should provide support to: the poor,
pregnant wife, their new born, orphans, aged, the
infirm, helpless, afflicted etc.
• State provide safety to: immature girls, relations
of lovers and profession of prostitutes
• State should facilitate, regulate and control:
Public amusements and entertainments,
including gambling.
• State should detect: the thieves and spies

16. According to Arthshashtra
• All professions and occupations to be
controlled by the State.
1. Physician
2. Goldsmith
3. Weaver
4. Washermen
5. Laborer

17. Nature of the State
• Security against foreign invasions and
• The maintenance of internal order summed up the
activities of the State.
• The first step taken when the State assumed the
administration of justice.
• And as society became more complex with the
progress of civilisation
• It embraced almost the entire life of the people.
Under the Emperor Asoka
• the State closely approximated to the highest type
of a Culture-State, its aim being to secure the
maximum well-being of the people in every
department of life.

18. Dharma
• Dharma is principle facture stands above all
• Dharma in practical sense: Belief, Ritual and
Conduct
• Dharma stood above all the rulers
• Dharma was conductive to the highest good
• Dharma is binding for social relationship

19. Conclusion
• Kings were the Soul of the States
• Ministers and provincial governors helps the King
• Villages+ Panchayats+Town-Counsils and trade
guilds were under the rule of central Government.
• The States in ancient India were Unitary in
character.